Bioreactor Segmentation for Plant Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The overgrowth of bacteria and/or fungi during plant transformation in bioreactors is problematic and requires new systems and methods to address these issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system comprising a vessel with an internal cavity divided into upper and lower compartments by a permeable member, where a plant explant inoculated with bacteria is cultured. Media is sprayed onto the explant through a dispensing inlet, and excess media drains through the permeable member to the lower compartment, where it is removed via a drainage outlet, facilitating co-culturing while managing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If media is continuously supplied to plant explants in bioreactor, then plant growth and transformation is improved, but pathogen overgrowth and waste accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor vessel is divided into an upper compartment for plant explant cultivation and a lower compartment for waste media collection, separated by a permeable support member. This segmentation allows continuous media supply to improve plant transformation while isolating waste accumulation in a separate compartment, preventing pathogen overgrowth in the plant growth zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously removes waste media from the lower compartment through a drainage outlet while simultaneously supplying fresh media to the upper compartment. This discarding of waste media prevents pathogen overgrowth and nutrient depletion, maintaining optimal conditions for plant transformation and productivity.
2Quantity of substance
If excess media is allowed to accumulate, then plant explant hydration is improved, but waste accumulation and pathogen growth increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the bioreactor into upper and lower compartments separated by a permeable support member, the system allows excess media to drain from the upper compartment to the lower compartment through the permeable structure. This maintains adequate hydration for plant explants while preventing waste accumulation in the growth zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The permeable support member acts as a hydraulic filter that allows liquid media to pass through from the upper to lower compartment while retaining plant explants. This hydraulic separation enables continuous media flow and waste removal without compromising plant explant hydration and positioning.
3Ease of operation
If permeable support member is added to separate compartments, then waste removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A permeable support member with porous structure is used to separate the upper and lower compartments. This porous material allows passive drainage of waste media through its pores while providing structural support for plant explants, achieving effective waste removal without complex mechanical pumping or filtration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The permeable support member enables self-drainage of excess media from the upper to lower compartment through passive gravity-driven flow through its porous structure. This eliminates the need for active pumping or complex control mechanisms, simplifying the device while improving waste removal efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively co-cultures plant explants with bacteria, improving the health and transformation rate of the plant material by controlling media distribution and removing waste, thus preventing pathogen growth.
Implementation Method 1
a permeable member that divides the internal cavity into upper and lower compartments... excess media travels through the permeable member to the lower compartment
Implementation Method 2
a positive pressure source operatively associated with the medium tank and the dispensing inlet configured to force medium from the medium tank through the dispensing inlet and into the upper compartment
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are bioreactors and systems comprising the same (e.g., a bioreactor assembly). Also described herein are methods of using the bioreactors and systems.